After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the armies of Russia and the newly independent republics gained a rich heritage. One of the instances of military equipment created by Soviet weapons designers was the BTR-70. This combat vehicle, as in the years of the USSR, is still used by motorized rifle units as a means for transporting soldiers during hostilities. Description, device and performance characteristics of the BTR-70 are contained in the article.
Getting to know the transport unit
The BTR-70 (photo of army equipment is presented below) is a Soviet armored personnel carrier created in the 70s. in Nizhny Novgorod at the Gorky plant. Employees of the design bureau have developed a wheeled floating armored vehicle, the task of which was to provide fire support to motorized rifle units and transport fighters.
BTR-70 is a floating military equipment for which circular reservation is provided. The chassis of the armored personnel carrier has an independent suspension - all eight wheels in the car are driving. The characteristics of the BTR-70 allow it to keep up with the tanks and successfully overcome water barriers, trenches and trenches.
About the history of creation
In the 60s. For the needs of Soviet motorized rifle troops, the 60th model of an armored personnel carrier was provided. At that time, the BMP-1 was in service with the Soviet army. The infantry fighting vehicle has also proved its high efficiency. In order to increase the overall combat and operational parameters of the armored personnel carrier, it was decided to create a new armored vehicle using a more powerful engine and weapons. An alternative was proposed by some military personnel: not to improve armored personnel carriers and completely abandon this mode of transport, but to use BMP exclusively. As a result, Soviet designers decided to design equipment for the army in which it would be possible to combine the best characteristics of armored personnel carriers and combat infantry vehicles. For this, a smooth-bore gun and a PKT machine gun were dismantled from the BMP-1 and mounted on the 60th model of an armored personnel carrier. In the technical documentation, the vehicle is listed as BMP GAZ-60. However, due to the unsatisfactory speed and maneuverability caused by too much weight, difficulties arose with the mass production of this machine. Nevertheless, according to experts, the design developments did not disappear and were used to create the BTR-70.
About improvements
In order to increase the speed characteristics of the machine, Soviet weapons engineers, under the guidance of I. S. Mukhin, equipped the APCs with two 120-liter gasoline engines. with. every. Such a design solution allowed to increase the specific power of the power system. The function of the main armament in the BTR-70 is performed by a large-caliber tank machine gun designed by Vladimirov (KPVT). The place of its installation was a rotating turret.
Result
For the body of the BTR-70 (photo of an armored personnel carrier is presented in the article), unlike the 60th model, the height is reduced by 18.5 cm, which makes the new machine less vulnerable to enemy fire. However, the armored personnel carrier is not without some drawbacks. According to experts, due to the presence of two engines, it became more difficult to repair and maintain the power plant. In addition, the BTR water-jet engine was not very successful. After overcoming water barriers, the structure has to be cleaned of silt and algae. However, the military armored vehicle was approved.
About serial production
In 1971, the USSR Ministry of Defense issued decree No. 0141, according to which the BTR-70 can be adopted by the Soviet army. The start of mass production was in 1976. Initially, the place of manufacture of the armored personnel carrier was the Gorky Automobile Plant. Since 1981, this task has been performed by employees of the Arzamas Automobile Parts Plant. In addition, a license to manufacture the BTR-70 was issued by the Soviet Union of Romania. Before the collapse of the USSR, Romanian industry produced 154 units of armored vehicles.
About design
Designing the layout of the new machine, the developers used the 60th model of an armored personnel carrier. The front of the car became the seat of the management department in BTR-70. The workplaces of the mechanic and the captain are located right there. The soldiers are located in the middle part of the armored personnel carrier - the troop compartment. For the engine compartment, the rear of the machine. The frontal part of the BTR is equipped with special windshields for viewing. In order to make the visibility good enough in any weather and season, windows and windows are provided for heating. Protection of the commander and mechanic from bullet hits is provided by special armored shutters that are installed on the windows. In a combat situation, the commander inspects the terrain using the TNPKU-2B device and three periscopic devices. A mechanic can use four periscopic mechanisms. The control compartment of the armored personnel carrier for loading and unloading is equipped with top hatches. For the manufacture of the body used armored steel sheets connected by welding. The frontal part of the armored personnel carrier has a thickness of 1 cm. The thickness of the sheet used for the turret is 0.6 cm. Landing and landing of motorized rifles hidden from the enemy is possible due to the presence of special hatches in the lower part of the side of the vehicle.
The crew of the armored personnel carrier is designed for eight people. For them, special benches are provided. Designers designed the BTR-70 internal device so that the soldiers had the opportunity to fire from the cabin. To do this, from both sides of the car placed benches on which the crew sits facing six small embrasures.
As for windows in the management department, special armored covers are provided for embrasures. In a combat situation, the soldiers survey using two periscope instruments.
About weapons
Fire on the enemy is carried out from a heavy machine gun tank (14.5 mm) and 7.62 mm PKT caliber. KPVT is the main weapon of an armored personnel carrier. The aiming range of this gun is 2000 m. 500 ammunition is attached to one transport unit. A heavy machine gun is used as an additional weapon. The aiming range from this gun is slightly lower and amounts to 1, 500 m. The combat set for the PKT consists of 2, 000 rounds.
About the powertrain
The armored personnel carrier is equipped with two GAZ-49B eight-cylinder engines. The place of their fastening was the common frame. Engine oil is cooled by heat exchangers and radiators. The capacity of the fuel tanks is 145 liters. In order to reduce their fire hazard, special airtight compartments are provided in the design of the armored personnel carrier. In addition, the BTR-70 device is characterized by the presence of an automated fire system. According to experts, it is not uncommon for one of the power units to fail. The armored personnel carrier will be able to continue its movement if the second engine is serviceable. Therefore, the developers designed the power plant in such a way that the mechanic could remotely disconnect the power transmission from the motor.
About the running gear
Hodovka armored personnel carrier consists of four axles. A high car throughput is ensured by the presence of all-wheel drive. The first two axes are controllable. In order to deploy transport, mechanics need 12.5 m.
Torsion bar suspension. The rim in the wheel is detachable. Tubeless tires with a low pressure level supported by a special adjustment system. Thanks to her, an armored personnel carrier can continue to move on punctured wheels. Compressors in this case have to work at full power to maintain the required pressure level. On an asphalt surface, a vehicle can move at a speed of 80 km / h. Closed transmission with damper clutch. The machine is equipped with a mechanical gearbox with four forward and one reverse gear. The third and fourth are equipped with synchronizers.
TTX
Features:
- BTR-70 belongs to the class of armored personnel carriers.
- The equipment weighs 11.5 tons.
- The management crew consists of 2 people. There are 8 soldiers in the landing squad.
- The maximum speed is 80 km / h.
- Swim BTR-70 within an hour can overcome 10 km.
- The equipment has a power reserve of 400 km.
- The total power indicator of the power unit is 240 horsepower.
- External communication of the commander is carried out using the radio station R-123M. The device R-124 is intended for internal negotiations.
Expert opinion
According to experts, the undeniable advantage of the BTR-70 is the ability to use it in an environment with a high level of radiation. The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a special system that determines the increased radiation background. In addition, inside the cabin is equipped with an effective ventilation system. Thanks to special filters, the crew is reliably protected from chemical and radiation exposure.
About modifications
The standard version of the BTR-70 has become the basis for the following variants of armored vehicles:
- KShM. It is a command post mobile point.
- MS. Using this technique, communication is made. A vehicle with an abolished tower and contains additional radio stations.
- BTR-70M. Technical characteristics in comparison with the classic version are improved. In the new model, instead of two gasoline engines, one diesel KamAZ-7403 is used. The power of the power unit is increased to 260 liters. with.
- 70M-A1. Produce this model in Belarus. The capacity of two diesel power units is 136 liters each. with. The equipment is equipped with air conditioning.
- 70M-B1. Machine made in Belarus. The technology uses a diesel engine. The power of the power unit is 260 horsepower.
- "Cobra-K". The vehicle was developed jointly by Russian, Belarusian and Slovak specialists. The armored personnel carrier is equipped with an improved Cobra module. In addition, an armored personnel carrier is provided with air conditioning.
- 70M-D. Machine made in Kazakhstan. Equipped with a motor capacity of 270 liters. with. Additionally, Turkish thermal imagers are used in the BTR.
About the model BTR-70 "Star"
Judging by the numerous consumer reviews, the Russian company Zvezda is today considered one of the largest producing board games and prefabricated models. In the manufacturer’s catalogs, plastic planes, helicopters, cars, ships and sailboats are presented to buyers. The BTR-70 Zvezda prefabricated sets are in great demand.
The product is completed with 201 parts, which are fixed on five sprues. The total size of the product is 210 mm. For dialing, a scale of 1:35 is provided. The set is equipped with 9 wheels for the BTR-70 and instructions.
